Arsenal player ratings against Brentford: Bukayo Saka replaces Gabriel Martinelli in difficult afternoon

Arsenal extended their lead at the top o f the Premier League to six points with a draw against Brentford.

The Gunners took the lead through Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench with 24 minutes to play and scored his first goal for the club.

Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points with a draw against Brentford.

The Gunners took the lead through Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench with 24 minutes to play and scored his first goal for the club.

However, Brentford hit back through Ivan Toney and it was no more than they deserved for an impressive performance at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal now have a six-point lead at the top of the table, but Manchester City can reduce that lead to three points if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

Simon Collings was at the Emirates Stadium to watch Arsenal in action…
Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points to draw against Brentford.

The Gunners took the lead through Leandro Trossard, who came off the bench with 24 minutes left to score his first goal for the club.

However, Brentford hit back with Ivan Toney and it was little more than they deserved for an impressive performance at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal are now six points clear at the top of the table, but Manchester City can reduce that lead to three points if they beat Aston Villa on Sunday.

Simon Collings was at the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action…

Aaron Ramsdale 6

He didn’t have a crowd to deal with as Toney didn’t mind starting with Brentford’s two best chances. Will be frustrated with the way the free kick for the Bees goal was defended.

ben white 7

Probably one of Arsenal’s best players that day and looked more like him after a bad game at Everton. He overlapped well and made some dangerous crosses.

William Saliba 5

He had a direct battle with Toney, who turned out to be a handful all afternoon. Difficulty dealing with him. Lui gave away the free kick from which Brentford scored by fouling Toney.

Gabriel 5

The Brazilian also had a tough afternoon against Brentford’s front two of Bryan Mbuemo and Toney. Mbeumo’s easy goal in the first half was ruled out due to a shirt jumper.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: His pass was uncharacteristically a little off, with easy balls going astray. Also a few shots from range when things got a little more hopeless towards the end. 5.

Thomas Partey: Executed his usual feint under pressure at the base of midfield to great effect. Could have perhaps done a bit more to set the tempo a bit higher for the Gunners. 6.

Granit Xhaka: Some decent attacking moments in the first half where he showed that side of his game again. That part of his game faded though and it’s no surprise he was sacrificed for an option more offensive this time. 6.

Thomas Partey: Executed his usual feint under pressure at the base of midfield to great effect. Could have perhaps done a little more to set the pace a little higher for the Gunners. 6.

Granit Xhaka: Some decent attacking moments in the first half where he showed that side of his game again. That part of his game faded though and it’s no surprise he was sacrificed for an option more offensive this time. 6.

Martin Odegaard: Probably the most influential player at Arsenal that day, leading the crowd and trying to pick up the pace. Some nice notched passes including one to release Saka for Trossard’s goal. 7.

Bukayo Saka: A little quiet in the first half but that’s forgivable when he produces moments of individual quality like that cross on Trossard’s goal. He broke the game when he started looking lost. 7.

Eddie Nketiah: He Looked good in some transitional moments, but his influence was limited. Another day where he spent a little too much time rigidly central. He had more impact when he drifted to the left in the second half. 5.

Gabriel Martinelli: Not particularly bad, but far from the best. Jesus seems to miss Gabriel. Could have scored a great volley on another day. The fact that the man who replaced him scored will not have helped. 6

SUBSTITUTIONS –

Leandro Trossard: Exactly the impact you expect from the bank in terms of objective. Not something Arsenal had before with no attacking talent on the bench. 7.
Fabio Vieira: The Portuguese midfielder needs to do more with these cameos off the bench to help decide matches. Still a little too anonymous when Arsenal needed him to turn the game around. 5.